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Atlus grabs, renames Dungeon Maker for U.S. release
With Rising Star snatching publishing rights for Dungeon Maker, we knew that it was only a matter of time before a U.S. company announced that it would be localizing the game. Atlus has, with a wink, revealed that it will bring the RPG to North America this September 2nd along with a new and more cumbersome title -- Master of the Monster Lair. Quick details for those of you unfamiliar with the Global A Entertainment-developed series: Your character is armed with a magical, talking shovel which allows you to dig out a dungeon to attract monsters. The better your dungeon, the more monsters for you to kill. You can build over 20 different types of rooms, including chapels, cellars, stables, trash dumps, and more. Each room attracts different types of monsters and helps you pick up different items. You can trade dungeon designs and challenge your friends to run through your creations (local wireless). Hit the gallery below for new English screenshots and art!%Gallery-25001%
Dungeon Maker digs its way west this September [update 1]
We all owe Rising Star Games several evenings' worth of drinks at the bar, for without them we western folk may well have missed out on some potentially magnificent games.And here's another one! After its recent confirmation that Dungeon Maker was coming to Europe, the company has settled on a release date of September 19th (those of you in the states needn't despair; after all, Europe is one small import away), and whipped the covers off of the PAL boxart. Doesn't that golden shovel hint at amazing possibilities? What deadly traps will it help us lay? What rare and exotic monsters and treasures will it help us ensnare? We'll know soon enough![Update 1: First English screens! Hit the gallery!]%Gallery-25001%[Via press release]
Dungeon Maker gets a sequel
The original Dungeon Maker didn't quite catch on in the States, but that isn't stopping a sequel from being made in Japan. As revealed in the latest batch of Japanese magazine scans, this sequel to the PSP-exclusive RPG will expand greatly upon the ideas in the original. Expect 90 building materials (up from the original's 50), more magic, more characters, more items, and most importantly, three times the creatures.[Via PSPHyper]
Dungeon Maker makes website first
Though we have our misgivings about Dungeon Maker: Mahou no Shovel to Chiisa na Yuusha (Dungeon Maker: Little Hero with a Magic Shovel), we haven't been completely scared away from the title yet. As if to reassure us, developer Global A Entertainment's official site organizes the cluttered details from Famitsu's preview and gives us room to better interpret them.The shovel that the game features has been enchanted by a sorcerer and can now talk! Apparently, it will teach you what you need to know about building your dungeon. The green jello bell, seen above, is some sort of creature that you can raise to mimic monsters. We're pretty much only making a note of the critter because it reminds us of Slimer. Except, you know, without eyes or the grotesque folds.We were originally under the impression that this Dungeon Maker release would be an ARPG like its PSP predecessor, but screenshots seem to indicate that combat is turn-based and handled from a first-person perspective. While many criticized the original game's combat as uninspired, will this overhaul eliminate those concerns or make them worse? We'll make sure to let you know more as we hear it!
Dungeon Maker: Rune Factory with a Magic Shovel?
We've held our celebrating arms up in the air for several days now since we heard about Dungeon Maker coming to the DS. Checking out Famitsu's latest preview of the game, however, has us slowly lowering them, glancing around the office in embarrassment.It's not the "kiddie-fied" art style that bothers us -- on the contrary, we much prefer the new look over the PSP version's generic feel -- nor is it Global A Entertainment's decision to tone down the ARPG's difficulty; the cause of our concern is that the game looks a little too much like Rune Factory. Only one of the game's screenshots seems to indicate any sort of farming activity, but that's enough to make us worry. Its title, Dungeon Maker: Mahou no Shovel to Chiisa na Yuusha (Dungeon Maker: Little Hero with a Magic Shovel), doesn't put our minds at ease either. Isn't its primary gimmick, making dungeons, enough? Do we really need another sword-and-ploughshare title?Dungeon Maker for the DS hits Japanese stores this October 25th. You can flip through those scanned pages of Famitsu after the post break.
Rumor: Dungeon Maker coming to DS?
If you're not familiar with Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground, a PSP title that XSeed brought to the US just last month, we won't blame you. The ARPG's release received very little press and most reviewers met the game with average to above-average scores. Among their criticisms were the lack of a proper XP/leveling system, limited character customization outside of equipment upgrades, and unimaginative combat.So why were our arms thrown into the air in victory, fists clutched as if to suggest hardships we've endured throughout this journey, after hearing from the Famitsu-scanning newshounds at NeoGAF that a DS port might be on the way? We've had hungry eyes for the dungeon making portion of the game for some time now, but we've refrained from mentioning it lest those other fanboys hold that knowledge over our heads. Dungeon Maker's gimmick -- build your lair, piece by piece, to attract monsters for you to slay -- is like a tractor beam aimed straight at our hearts. Hack and slash your way past the post break for Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground's PSP trailer.
Dungeon Maker gets release date, screenshots
Dungeon Maker is coming to the PSP a lot sooner than you may think. XSEED sent us a reminder, telling us that the RPG will be available on June 19th, a Tuesday. With their announcement, they also conveniently provided us a plethora of screenshots. A quick look makes us not think very highly of the game's visual appeal -- hopefully, the gameplay will do more than enough to make up for its looks.%Gallery-3820%
Building a better dungeon in Dungeon Maker
We'd think that playing Dungeon Maker would be akin to playing with Legos ... if the Legos attracted dozens of man-eating monsters. This new video highlights the play experience of Dungeon Maker. Watch as you start summoning new rooms, and get in touch with your interior decorator as you start color coordinating the rooms. Eventually, you'll have a dungeon that is oh-so-chic. We'll be sure to have more on Dungeon Maker in the coming weeks.
Dungeon Maker website reveals silly plot
Dungeon making fans, take notice. XSEED's Dungeon Maker Hunting Ground has an official website now, with a projected release date right around the corner in June. XSEED also released Valhalla Knights awhile back, a title that was lampooned by critics for its restrictive game play and lack of story progression. How does the story in Dungeon Maker fare? Well, the new website contains some insight into the background story elements we think you'll find ... interesting. You control the Architect (not that Architect), a hero that arrives in town wanting to develop a monster-luring dungeon so he can sharpen his fighting skills, net some serious gold coinage and become the baddest dungeon maker who ever lived. The hero must face skepticism from the townspeople that don't believe the Architect has what it takes to make the ultimate dungeon. But eventually, the Architect begins to win support of the townsfolk by luring rare and powerful enemies into his ever-growing dungeon. In turn, the townspeople equip the Architect with new dungeon making abilities. Will our hero be able to lure the powerful and elusive Wandering Demon, freeing the townsfolk from its reign of fear and terror once and for all? Wow. The plot seems utterly ridiculous so it might be 0/2 for XSEED. On the other hand, a dungeon making game for the PSP is certainly unique. Perhaps its appeal might overcome such a far-fetched plot. We'll know a lot more once Dungeon Maker Hunting Ground is released in a few weeks. In the meantime, check out the game's website for more information.
XSEED announces new RPGs: Dungeon Maker & Brave Story
PSP is no stranger to the RPG genre. XSEED, publisher of the upcoming Valhalla Knights, is preparing two more adventures for PSP gamers to conquer:Dungeon Maker: Hunting Ground has you creating dungeons, floor by floor, in order to capture an elusive beast, the legendary Wandering Demon. By improving the layout of your dungeon, you'll be able to lure in more exotic creatures, and fight them in real time using a variety of weapons, magics, and summoning creatures. You'll also be able to trade dungeons with a friend, when this game comes out in July.Brave Story: New Traveler is a new PSP-exclusive RPG from Game Republic (creators of Genji). You play as an eleven year old boy (pictured) whose life is changed forever when his friend Miki falls ill from a mysterious disease. He must enter the world of Vision to find the Goddess of Fortune to make his wishes come true. This RPG doesn't have a release date yet, but is expected to come out Q3.Check after the cut to see more pictures of Dungeon Maker in action.
